"I write because I find humor in the absurdities of daily life. Sometimes I feel sadness too, and I find I can write my tears away. I write when I'm angry and feel I must right a wrong. I write when I'm touched and want others to see beauty and gentleness. I write, as many others do, because I must." -Elaine Fantle Shimberg

It seems not so long ago when I first heard, and learned to love, Zia Quizon's voice. Having been a big fan of jazz music for years, it was quite a pleasant surprise to finally hear one of my favorite music genres being embraced by an OPM (Original Pilipino Music) artist!

I was there during Zia's debut album launch last February 2012 and immediately knew back then that the young lady with the earthy soul voice would breathe new life to the local music industry. And she did!

So I was very glad to find out some weeks ago that she'll be coming up with a new album because the first one had fans craving for more. Now, she's back with another CD that has eight original cuts, including Zia's compositions, and two classic revivals released by PolyEast Records.

The album, entitled A Little Bit of Lovin features the new single Pasakalye written by Jungee Marcelo. This is a delightful and humorous song with words and a storyline that young people of today would definitely identify with. Watch this video I took during the press con and hear it for yourself.

It was very refreshing to hear Zia sing songs from her album live. The new album just shows Zia's ability to push her own boundaries and showcase her notable vocal prowess. The CD includes a remake of White Stripes' Seven Nation Army, and OPM classic Masdan Mo Ang Kapaligiran by 70s Pinoy folk rock band Asin.

In addition, Zia's talents in songwriting shone through the songs Under and Over, On The Run, A Little Bit of Lovin, and Sweet Memories. All these have her trademark bluesy vocals and illustrates her artistic evolution as one of the Philippines' young and talented singer-songwriters today.

Although she has well-known parents -- singer ZsaZsa Padilla and comedy king Dolphy Quizon -- I think Zia doesn't need their surnames to catapult her into stardom because she can definitely make it on her own through sheer, genuine talent.

As this young lady continues to dabble in different sounds and styles, the album further includes collaborations with fellow songwriters and singers such as Gloc-9 for Katulad ng Iba, a song made in support for the NOT IN OUR SCHOOL Anti-Bullying Campaign; Francis Salazar's soulful Kung Ayaw Mo Sa Kin; and Junjee Marcelo's Bakit Di Ka Crush ng Crush Mo, an original soundtrack of the same movie title.

A Little Bit of Lovin is Zia's follow up to her self-titled debut album, with the chart-topping and award-winning songs Ako Na Lang, Dear Lonely, and Simple Girl, which has sold more than 10,000 copies. Last year, the 22-year old acoustic jazz singer rightfully brought home her first Awit Awards trophies for Best Female Recording and Best Recording by a New Female Artist.

Ako Na Lang, the same song that proclaimed Zia as one of her generation's rarest commodity, also won the 2011 Awit Awards Song of the Year for Jungee Marcelo while Zia's single Simple Girl won Best Engineered Recording for Nikki Cunanan. In 2012, Zia was also awarded Favorite New Artist at the MYX Music Awards.

Now out in stores, A Little Bit of Lovin is also available for downloads on mymusicstore.com.ph and iTunes worldwide. Special thanks goes to Sequoia Hotel, Discovery Country Suites Tagaytay, and Mossimo.

For more information, please visit www.polyeastrecords.com, and like/follow PolyEastRecords on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Lastly, in line with her new album, Zia will have her first-ever concert at the Music Museum on September 26, 2013, Friday at 8PM with special guest Gloc-9. Tickets are available at Ticketworld 891-9999.

Who is:

I am a contributing writer to various Philippine print and online publications. I blog because I enjoy writing about other topics that are not assigned by my editors. I'm a mom of four boys and wife to a man I consider my bestest friend in the world.

"I write because I find humor in the absurdities of daily life. Sometimes I feel sadness too, and I find I can write my tears away. I write when I'm angry and feel I must right a wrong. I write when I'm touched and want others to see beauty and gentleness. I write, as many others do, because I must." -Elaine Fantle Shimberg